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Actually, this isn't the first time this has been done. I recall flying between Trinidad and Tobago about 25 years ago, on what was called the "Air bridge" and they had people (and animals) standing in the aisle. The had a subway like strap-hanger bar running the length of the plane and leather straps at regular intervals. It was operated on a more or less regular schedule (meaning when the plane was full, it took off) at hourly intervals. If memory serves, it was a narrow body, very, very old plane. I see they still run the route and still call it the "Air bridge", but no mention of stand up bookings. It is now run by Caribbean Airlines, but back in the 1980's it may have been someone else.

Techy solutions are more fun, rather than just bash a seemingly dumb idea. My pitch:

Balance on take-off and landings is not an issue. The laterals G's on NYC subways are far greater. Being a NYer I can say only newbies like tourists lose their balance, but after the first ride they're OK. A used Metrocard will qualify you for stand-up air. Put in subway style handrails and it can work. Sudden strong upwards motion turbulence can be countered with some kind of passive foot restraint. Or better yet... how about airline approved shoe fittings that have a light weight steel plate. High power electro-magnets built into the floor fire when millisecond speed G sensors detect severe turbulence is imminent, keeping those standing firmly planted to the floor.New technology can make it practical while the whole system will have little to no weight penalty. Software and sensors arm the system only where feet are present, saving energy which makes it green compliant.

Not enough? install kevlar cargo netting to keep the occasional errant standup from flying in seated space. Also microwave activated airbags in the ceiling would act as backup protection. Sounds crazy until you consider airline seats are not always bolted down.

Ahhhh.... What ever happened to good ole duct tape and bailing wire? Versatile, inexpensive (so as not to raise passenger fares) and a proven track record for holding almost anything together for a few hours... <snicker>

Nice idea. How about offering an upgrade from duct tape and bailing wire to Velcro.

Rather than my magnetic footwear idea RyanAir can have the discount passengers ride in a segment of the plane's fuselage that g's up like a horizontal spin washer. This creates a few g's that keeps people firmly in place, no matter what turbulence occurs. It's powered by little fins in the slipstream. Aircraft systems like APU fuel and tailplane controls would go through a central ductway. I got the idea from watching the old 2001 Space Odyssey film. I have a book on weird airplanes, you should see some of the actual nutty things people did in aviation.

If he really wants to make money he should put in single size quadruple decker beds and do half hour around the airport flights so people can join the "mile high" club and just take the plane from city to city as reservations demand. No standing and a premium for lying down. Too bad I can't patent this idea.

RyanAir's CEO is right!Remember that in Britain, in the early years of the automobile, the law required a man with a red flag to walk in front of any motor vehicle on a public road, for safety reasons.One could argue that all the road deaths in history could have been avoided if they did not repeal that law.

I think that this guy is the Donald Trump of the airline industry, always talking garbage to get TV and newspaper attention. Ryanair would never be allowed the first plane to take off with standing only passengers, and this jerk knows it.